Work gets a bad rep sometimes.  The hours are too long.  The pay is never enough.  The expectations are unrealistic.  The stress is sky high.  The injuries add up.  But this entry is not about that, it’s (annoyingly) about all the things right with work. 

The company that I am pouring my youth into recently expanded dramatically, and I am finding myself in places that I’ve never seen before; rural towns with one main street, regional centres recovering from floods and droughts, and proud primary producers surviving on the whims of Chinese trade.  Tonight I am in a small town’s ‘best motel’ (insert your own connotations).  I look around and marvel at the best in studio living.  There is a kitchenette with a counter top, a lounge chair, a bed, and a thoughtful unit consisting of wardrobes, aircon, television and bathroom.  I had very tasty pork tenderloin with mushroom sauce brought to my room.  The peanuts are complimentary. 

Earlier in the day I saw the red earth raked into waves for planting.

I saw clients in a dubious office with two doors and no soundproofing. 

I edited resumes.

I ate really greasy lunch that would have made America proud.

I told my regional manager that she should be a golf commentator.

I ran down the street during a thunderstorm.

I passed a ghost-town housing establishment for the Indigenous Australians.

I made tea in a closet.

I high-tailed it when the conversation around me took a disciplinary turn.

I led co-workers astray and cackled.

Work gets a bad rep.  But it can be awesome too.  It’s not about the bonuses, raises, and outcomes for me (though who doesn’t want to get paid more for what they are doing?).  It’s awesome how I get to experience so much and gain the type of perspective that I couldn’t achieve on my own.

And on days like this, I realize how incredibly lucky I am.

Tomorrow I’m waking up early to write.  I’ve already sussed out the kitchenette.  It’s stacked with tea.  Very thoughtful.  

Going to Los Angeles was an eye opener in a lot of ways.  My life goal of ordering an upsized version of a MacDonald’s meal was dashed reality.  I am no food snob (If I was, I’d probably have less indigestion), but I don’t think I could have stomached the food at the Maccas down the street.  It was... well... words fail me.

But on a positive note, this frees up a life goal slot.  I am open to suggestions.

I didn’t think there’d be such a culture shock, considering how similar Australia and America appear on the surface, but everything was different.  Some points.  

• Food and I didn’t agree at all, which was a shame, because we are usually such fast friends
• California’s in drought, yet all the lawns look pristine.  Solemn explained that it was an appearance thing.
• Everything is sweet.  Soft drinks are diabetic level sweet.
• Hobo urine smells different.
• The sun does not cause death, only slight browning of skin.
• The disparity between the rich and the poor is very noticeable.  It made me glad of the 30% or so of my taxes that go into the welfare system here.  Worth it.  Worth every cent. 
• The service industry is excellent.
• Tipping is awkward.  Again, this was something that Solemn had to explain to me, otherwise I would never have made it. 
• Everyone is super good looking

I’m not taking as many pictures as I use to.  It forces me to pay attention to the present moment.  My brain glows with the ever evolving aurora of memories.  Some highlights include:

• Waking up beside my partner.
• Getting around on pushbike.
• Seeing random gum trees and other Australian natives.
• Eating mini crab tacos on the roof of a media centre.
• Drinking fancy ice tea.
• Drinking local beers.
  

I’m not sure if I will ever go back to LA.  It certainly wasn’t what I expected.  Though, I do plan to go to New York around March next year and I think I will expect to be shocked.  Maybe my new life goal will be to climb the Empire State Building King Kong style.